Savannah visitors react to pope’s cancer diagnosis

by Steven Glover

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -Prayers are pouring in from around the world — and right here in Savannah — after the Vatican revealed America’s first pope has lung cancer.

Pope Leo XIV, 71, underwent successful surgery Tuesday in Rome to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican says tests confirmed lung cancer, which doctors had suspected before surgery.

Outside the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the news hit home for visitors taking in the historic church.

“I was just taken back, I just could not believe it. America’s first pope, we’ve found out he has come down with cancer. It was just so sad,” said visitor Denise.

Rosmary Aguilar, a Catholic visiting from Texas, said she had been on the road and had not heard the news.

“Ohhh noo...I did not catch that. We’d been on the road today and busy and didn’t catch that,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar said when she returns home, she plans to gather with friends.

“A group of friends of mine and I get together weekly to pray the rosary. I will be keeping him in my prayers,” she said.

But you don’t have to be catholic to feel the weight of the diagnosis. For others visiting the cathedral, it’s simply about humanity and hope.

“Yeah, I’m not Catholic, but on a human level, anybody with cancer I’d really feel bad for and pray for. It don’t matter what your religion is. Just pray for him,” said visitor Sam Howard.

The Vatican says the 90-minute surgery had no complications. The pope’s audiences are canceled through Oct. 20.